Town of Warwick
Selectboard
November 13, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau, Patricia Lemon (arrived at 6:05 pm)
Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa
Fratangelo Calcari, Fire Chief Ron Gates, Fire Fighters Joe Paul and
Mike Mankowsky, Police Chief Dave Shoemaker, Assesors Clerk and
Treasurer Beth Gilgun, Gail Beauregard, Jon Calcari, Jared Robinson
(Athol Daily News)
I. Call to Order
Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in Town Hall.
Public Comment
Assessors Clerk Beth Gilgun asked the Board for its support to join a
community innovation grant led by the Town of Royalston. The grant
application, which requires the participation of six towns in addition
to lead town Royalston, would need signatures from the Selectboard
members. Gilgun explained that she, as Assessors Clerk, would be the
only one testing the new software provided by grant funding and that
this would all be done at be no cost to the Town. Gilgun also explained
that this was an urgent matter that could not wait until the next
scheduled meeting.
Arguimbau MOVED to approve Beth Gilgun's request. Magi SECONDED. Motion
CARRIED 2-0-0.
Gail Beauregard did not agree with comments made by Town Coordinator
David Young in a previous written Coordinator Report. She attempted to
refute some statements that she claimed were made about her property at
24 Athol Road. Young stood by his statements, explaining that he
referred to the former Copper Angel. Magi said that the matter would not
be resolved tonight, and suggested a meeting with Building Inspector
Phil Delorey and Ms. Beauregard present. Young asked Beauregard for some
times she could be available; she provided several potential days of the
week and times of day.
III. Minutes
Lemon MOVED to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2012 as printed.
Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
Lemon MOVED to accept the minutes of November 7, 2012 as printed.
Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
IV. Presentations and Discussions
1. Fire Chief Report--Fire Chief Ron Gates said that there have not
been many calls of late. He also reported that progress on the new
Public Safety Building will be at a standstill until Spring. He said
that the plans have yet to be done. Young said that the Tech School is
quite interested in working the the Public Safety building project.
Young said that the School could assist with obtaining the necessary
building permits, as well as possibly helping Darren Gale with the
architectural drawings. Gates said that he will be scheduling a meeting
with the Building Committee to assess progress on the drawings, and
would inform the Coordinator once a date and time was set. Young said
that the most likely areas in which the Tech School students would be of
assistance would be heating, plumbing and electrical. Gates said that
once the structure is complete then the students could begin
contributing work.
Magi said that there were two fundraisers scheduled for the same
night (November 10, 2012), which she believed caused the attendance
at the Fire Fighters supper to suffer. She wanted a new protocol
initiated whereby all events open to the public be listed and
scheduling conflicts avoided. Young suggested the Warwick website as
a potential listing site, and said that he would discuss this with
webmaster Ed Lemon.
2. Police Chief Report -- Chief Shoemaker said that it has been pretty
quiet lately, but that there were a couple of incidents currently under
investigation. He encouraged all citizens to be vigilant and to report
any suspicious activity.
The Chief said that he has been receiving a lot of complaints on
animals. He said that the owners of the animals about which
complaints have been made are hiding behind the Town's Right to Farm
By-Law. He noted that the intent of the By-Law was for those who
making a living by farming rather than gentlemen farmers. The Chief
also pointed out that the By-Law does not negate State statutes on
nuisance dogs, and that dogs that are either loose or barking are
not allowed to disturb the neighbors. Young said that owners are
responsible for proper fencing to contain livestock, and the Chief
said that the By-Law does not allow animal owners to do nothing
about a nuisance animal.
Young said that he could check with Town Counsel for a legal opinion
on whether noise on whether the Right to Farm By-Law allows for
noise from barking dogs on a property with livestock is protected.
Shoemaker said that he wanted people to be good neighbors and take
care of the problems caused by their animals. Magi said that once a
legal opinion is obtained from Town Counsel, the matter would be
revisited and handled based on that opinion.
Chief Shoemaker said that Verizon still owes for detail payments
from March of 2012 as well as some others. He noted that two
invoices for details for October have been paid. He also said that
some of the poles slated for removal by Verizon have been taken care
of, but others still remain in place. Lemon said that she would
contact Verizon tomorrow.
WCS Sprinkler Code Compliance Work--Young said that the Fire Fighters
and School staff need to meet for an overview of the system's
functioning and maintenance.
4. Recreation Committee -- Young said that the Rec. Committee recently
had to deal with some violent behavior issues between two young children
on a team. He said a corrective behavior plan was developed for each
child and signed on by the coaches, parents, and children involved.
Young said that the Rec. Committee is currently working on developing a
code of conduct for coaches, parents and players. He said that perhaps
part of the problem is that winning may be a primary goal for some.
Young said that basketball season is getting underway and that a
policy has been established whereby all coaches must undergo a
criminal records background (CORI) check. He said that the Rec.
Committee was also looking at a challenge from a parent to a long
standing policy that on any given day if a player either practices
or plays in a non- Rec. league that he or she cannot participate
in Warwick Recreation league practice or play that same day.
5. Community Meeting Place--Lemon said that the Town Hall auditorium
had been suggested as a community meeting place. Young suggested the
Dining Room would be a better choice. He also said that the Library
Trustees were asked to look into the Library as a possible site. The
current Fire Station might also be considered once the new Public safety
building is operational. Young said that the Board accepted the charge
of looking into the development of a Community/Youth/Elder Center. It
was noted that should the Town Hall be the place ultimately chosen, that
any furniture obtained would have to fit into the elevator to facilitate
moving it out of the way for various events. There was a consensus of
the Board to use the Town Hall Dining Room as a trial community meeting
place, with specific times and days set aside to avoid any scheduling
conflicts.
6. Renewal of Class II and III Licenses for Rod Whipple--Young said
that this is for the annual renewal of Mr. Whipple's Class II and II
licenses. He noted that all necessary proof of insurance had been
provided.
Lemon MOVED to approve Rod Whipple's Class II and II License renewals.
Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
7. Selectboard Reports--There were no reports.
Coordinator Report-- Young said that the next meeting of the 250th
Anniversary Planning Committee will take place on Thursday, November 15
at 7 pm in Town Hall. Magi said that bands are being lined up for the
Grand Ball to be held on February 16, 2013. She said that 1763-era
costumes are encouraged but will not be required.
Young said the Mr. Kilroy was coming into compliance with his fence at
the corner of Athol and Richmond Roads. He also said that the DCR
contracts have all been submitted, and Lemon said that a debt of
gratitude is owed to Young for all his work on the great amount of
paperwork associated with these contracts.
Adjournment
At 7:30 pm, Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Arguimbau SECONDED.
Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari